Seldom Spring

Anafrey stirs and flops a bit in bed. A small pool of drool forming on her pillow :P

OOC: Short rest granted.

DM rollz: 2

After an hour, the messenger Ebokk sent returns to say Eilikasys was not home.

Tairdai prepares a delicious meal. Mrs. Lockforge joins the group to eat, as does Skadoula. Esmet is a beautiful hostess who acts like nothing at all bizarre has happened today. If any subject remotely related to her husband or the events of the day is brought up, she quickly changes the subject to something cheery. As soon as the meal is over, the hostess excuses herself and is not seen the rest of the night. Skadoula leaves right after supper.

Ebokk tucks Skadoula into a cab and then also goes upstairs without saying good night. Following this, a few sentences spoken with raised voices can be heard downstairs, but no one can make out the words or even whose voice it is. Ebokk does not come back down.

The party is free to go to bed or do anything else. Erric, you had mentioned wanting to speak with Skadoula about Eilikasys privately. And was any decision made about how to get word back to Seldom Spring?

No, no one told you where the sleep. And, no, no one has paid you yet.

Can Skadoula send a message using a spell to Dirk? If not, Erric suggests a pigeon/bird?

Erric would pull Skadoula aside before she leaves and says, "How well do you know Eilikasys? Where does she come from and what does she want? I'll cut to the chase. She said I was interesting and special, which was awfully nice, and then she, well, she kissed me out of the blue and seemed to want.. more one night on our trip to Waterdeep from Seldom Spring. Thinking about it more and more, I realize I don't know anything about her. I should. You know more than I do. I'd be grateful for anything you can tell me."

Maldorn gladly joins the dinner table and does his best to behave properly. This is not really the setting he is used to though, and it shows. He has the general sense for manners that comes with age, but the way he grabs the fork, the noise the makes while drinking from his goblet/cup, and the only sporadic use of the provided napkin all betray his best efforts. He joins in small talk and pleasant conversation at the table, assuming such things happen. After the meal, he complements Tairdai and the matron of the house on the dishes served.

Once it is just Jambiya, Erric, and Maldorn downstairs, the old ranger makes a proposal: "Friends, I realize we haven't been paid yet and there is a possibility that we won't be given the damage we caused to this home. However, assuming that we are indeed offered our due sum before leaving, I think we should make a counteroffer. You see, Ebokk was part of the beard ring rescue as well, and suffered much with the betrayal we all had to endure. He has now accepted joining us for another adventure. I am of the mind to offer the still owner-less fifth portion of our treasure to Ebokk, or perhaps his mother, to compensate them for property damage and general discomfort. Nonetheless, I will refrain from doing so if you two disagree with that offer."

Before dinner...

Jambiya will have written out a message to her fathers about where the group is going next, and how exciting it is to be following in their footsteps only she intends to return with both feet and not to worry, Grumpy Pops, and then a bit about meeting Skadoula and then that her mother is some sort of Fey creature and is watching over her.

If the owners of the house are occupied or distracted, she will ask Tairdai where she might go to post a message abroad, and then makes plans to do so in the morning, tucking it into her bag.

During the meal...

Jambiya is a good guest, though she insists at the end on clearing the dishes, no matter how much Tairdai protests, and then helping to clean, using magic, or just elbow grease, and being charming with stories about the inn, and relating what she knows of Dwarven stuff, including talking in Dwarven. So unless Tairdai is totally off putting and forces Jambiya out of the kitchen, the goblin girl is going to help.

After dinner...

At the suggestion we give the Lockforges the fifth share, “That’s a lovely idea, Maldorn! And really, we’ve all been through so much, I don’t mind if we don’t get paid.” She smiles at the crusty old man who turns out to have a soft center.

Skadoula says she doesn't personally know the sending spell, but has used a cleric in town on occasion to perform the task. If she remembers correctly, they charge 90 gold. And, of course, there are places in town to leave letters to be delivered. She expects it would cost far less, though she isn't exactly sure where Seldom Spring is. Jambiya, when you ask Tairdai, she echos Skadoula that there are places to leave letters throughout Waterdeep. "Master Ebokk will be able to lead you to one in the morning," she says.

Erric, when you pull the mysterious old dwarf aside, she smiles at you as you bumble on concerning the even stranger gnome. She responds, "First of all, I agree with her; you are both interesting and special. As for her advances, I cannot say for sure. Sometimes powerful women are lonely, and perhaps she is. I have on occasion had dealings with her, but mostly in conjunction with the Lockforge family. I do not know her well. I've never heard where she comes from. I do know she travels most of the year for her work. If you want to know her better, I suggest you reach out to her either in person or through messages."

Jambiya, Tairdai is a little hesitant as you jump in to help, clearly feeling uncomfortable with a guest performing her duties. But once you make it known that you're not going to take no for an answer, the she-dwarf warms up to you and is very interested in hearing all of your stories.

(Erric is honestly too tired to even grab his lute and play for everyone, but he will engage in some banter with the older dwarves, trying to charm them with tales of their previous adventure and maybe-made-up tales of Erric's past.)

To Skadoula, Erric sighs, thank thanks her. He will look to ask Esmet about what Eilikasys' work really is and what their dealings with her have been, but he will not reveal the... advances to her. (This can happen tomorrow to expedite things.)

As the three adventurers gather (in the sitting room) after dinner is done and Skadoula has left, Jambiya splits her face with a yawn. "This has been a very exhausting day," she says, smiling at the ridiculousness of it all. "But with any luck, we did some good today. I am going to go to bed... does anyone know where we are supposed to sleep? I... I don't even know if they intend for us to sleep here." She frowns for a moment, then sort of sighs. "There's a chair in Anafrey's room, I think, or at least a spot on that great big bed. I'll sleep there. You boys can bed down here, I suppose," she looks around the sitting room.

OOC > Are we ready to sleep?

I imagine that Jambiya is shocked at the amount of drool on Anafrey's pillow... Like... A lot of drool :P

She will both clean it up and warm the cold spot with Prestidigitation. ❤️

Erric will curl up in a chair in Anafrey's room and try to soothe himself and his friends with some very calm, peaceful music after their insane day.

"So we are going through a scary forest, to a cave north of here, in which we might find something magical enough that we might get to save Anafrey from her new friend. All the while we'll be helping her deal with that new friend and hope that the new friend doesn't decide that we're more trouble than we're worth. Do we need to not tell Anafrey why we're seeking this magic, for fear of the new friend realizing and potentially objecting?" He'll more say this to himself than to the group while strumming away.

He'll also ask Maldorn if the speech he gave in the carriage about Erric being a foolish knight in shining armor defending Jambiya's feelings and criticizing him for causing too much of a fuss, and advocating for a neutral position, was just a ruse to calm down the flail... or if he really meant it. 

If Erric tries to talk and strum in the room with Anafrey, Jambiya will shush him and push him out into the hallway, where we can have that conversation, song, etc.

"I think we should be up front with her, and Flindbar. We've already shown him we won't take any of his guff, and we're looking for a way out of a situation he doesn't want to be in, either."

Once everyone is ready for bed, Jambiya will not strongly oppose the others bedding down in the room with 'Frey, though she is somewhat put out by changing with the boys in the room and all. She will throw open the window for some fresh air (summarily glaring at anyone who makes to stop her), then settle near the bed with her new stick, to think on it and focus on it a bit (trying to Attune to it).

Finally, Jambiya will curl up at Anafrey's feet on (what I presume to be) a big bed, and sleep.

Erric is a bit put out by the idea his calming music is disruptive but when Jambiya objects he stops and exits to the hallway.

”Okay, we can try if you think it’s best.”

He will ask Ebokk if there is a spare room and if not he will curl up outside Anafrey’s room to sleep.

After meditating with her stick, Jambiya will stand up, go over to the door and open it quietly. If Erric is sleeping there (as I think Ebokk has already retired), she will crouch down and ruffle his hair gently. "Come on, silly, I'm sorry. I won't make you sleep outside the door," and invite him in to the room.

Erric, you spoke with Skadoula after Esmet had already retired upstairs. If you want to try to grab her in the morning, you can.

Everything above happens (no need for me to summarize).

In getting ready for bed, Maldorn, you spend about 30 minutes with Sagitta. Over the past tenday, you really feel like you have made some great strides in training him to do just about everything you ask. You think he's ready to start being a contributing member of the party.

Anafrey only:

Jambiya only:

Erric, you've been practicing a few things in secret for a few weeks. As you think about the task at hand, you decide it's time to start putting that practice to the test.

Everyone, level up and wake up.

Before going to sleep...

Maldorn is glad that Jambiya agrees with him regarding the fifth of treasure that remains up for grabs. When he looks at Erric to see if he also agrees, he instead receives a question in return. He sighs and responds.

"I had hoped to do this while Icy was among us, but alas." He clears his throat. "I owe both of you an apology. In my attempt to live and let live, I let both of you and Icy down. I had my suspicious regarding your accusations at first and decided to stick to my stubbornness. It almost cost us our friend. Then, I was naive in thinking that distancing myself from the two of you would suffice to bring me closer to Icy. I had hoped to gain her trust as to get in a better position to observe her as I had promised Erric I would. My half-plan was too slow, ill communicated, an ultimately an utter failure. If you are to forgive me, I give you my word that next time I will strive to work as a team."

Turning to face the bard: "Erric, you are no fool. You are a pure-hearted knight, but you are not naive. You are much wiser than appearances would hint at, and your willingness and courage to listen to your emotions and act unbound is no weakness. Instead, it is commendable. I... I am not quite there yet. Your approach can be a bit chaotic at times but your heart is always in the right place. I hope I can learn from you to apply that type of courage to my own way of thinking. Please forgive me for not listening to you in your hour of need... no... our hour of need."

Facing now the goblin girl: "Lady Jambiya. You have already proven yourself a better adventurer than either of your fathers in my book. You are the brains of this team and I am a fool once over for not listening to your leadership. You trust your instinct and so should I. Next time you come to me in need of help, I will aim to act promptly. I hope I can learn from you that hesitation rarely pays off. Please forgive me for almost costing you your friend."

Afterwards, Maldorn spends the next hour in quiet reflection. He plays and trains Sagitta for a bit and enjoys a cigarette or two before falling asleep sitting on the ground, on the corner of the room where everyone else ended up in.

Erric only:

As Anafrey began to wake up, she would sit up slowly. Holding her head in her hands would and letting out a small moan. With her head aching, she would attempt to squeeze the sides of her head in a futile attempt to stop the pounding inside her skull. A moment or two later, she would open her eyes and wipe the drool from her cheek. Seeing her friends around her in the room, she sound let out a small quiet laugh. Wiping the sleep from her eyes, a few tears would rub off on to her her badly sliced up hands. 

Jambiya wakes early, as is her schedule, despite the length of time since she has actually served as a barmaid. Her first sense is that of something new, but not entirely unfamiliar, curled up next to her on the bed. She opens her eyes to see the little dragon curled up against her, and as she stirs, it opens its eyes and blinks at her, long tail uncurling to lay across her.

"Hey, little guy," she says softly, smiling from ear to ear. She gets up as lightly as she can, not wanting to disturb any of the others, and discovers another new thing. As the dragon climbs up her arm to settle on her shoulder, she sees it was sleeping on a slim, bound book, cover brown like bark, decorated with sigils and patterns in silver ink. She picks it up and opens it, finding more inked words inside, and slowly settles into a sitting position right where she is, reading.

When Anafrey wakes and moans, Jambiya pops up from where's she's hidden at the foot of the bed, slapping the book shut and causing the dragon to flap its little wings to stay attached.

"Anafrey!" she half shouts with a giant grin. "Oh, I mean, sorry," she says more quietly. Seeing 'Frey's wounded, bandaged fingers, her eyes go wide, and she climbs on the bed to get closer to the woman, as the dragon launches itself to settle up high on a picture frame. "Do they hurt? I'm so sorry you had to go through that, I was so worried about you, I'm so glad you're... well, better. I just, we couldn't get rid of it all the way," her face falls. "I tried so hard, but it was too strong... and you! You're so strong! You managed to fight it and, and do terrible things to yourself to not let it hurt me... and, I... just... and we're going to find a way to get rid of it forever." She looks at the flail. "You hear me in there? My friend and her friends are going to make sure you don't like living in there, and we're ALL of us, even you, going to work together to get you out."

Then she looks back at Anafrey. "I'm so glad you're alive," and she hugs her.